Health: Fianna Fáil TDS react hysterically to campaign

Successful Donegal engagement on healthcare proposals

Sinn Féin Dáil leader and Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD was
in County Donegal on Monday 13 November to meet local people involved in the
healthcare sector, including Donegal Action for Cancer Care and the Irish
Nurses Organisation (INO). During his visit to Donegal, Ó Caoláin addressed
a public meeting in Letterkenny on 'Health in an Ireland of Equals'. He was
joined on the platform by John Quinn and Noelle Duddy of Donegal Action for
Cancer Care, IMPACT National Secretary Kevin Callanan and INO Regional
Spokesperson Noel Treanor. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Pearse
Doherty (Donegal South West) and was also addressed by Councillor Pádraig
Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East).

The day after the highly successful meeting which received significant local
media coverage, Fianna Fáil's five Donegal TD's -- Mary Coughlan, Pat the
Cope Gallagher, Dr Jim McDaid, Cecilia Keaveney and Niall Blaney issued a
lengthy joint statement, dated 14 November, claiming that Sinn Féin had 'no
practical proposals for the health services in Donegal'. The statement was
very defensive of the record of the current coalition government which has
presided over the health crisis.

In response to this unprecedented development Sinn Féin's Donegal North-East
representative, Councillor Padraig Mac Lochlainn said that attacking Sinn
Féin was the only thing that united Fianna Fáil TDs in Donegal

"We in Sinn Féin were delighted that, last Monday, our campaign for better
health services -- based on equal access for all -- resulted in the latest
in a series of constructive private and public engagements with independent
campaigners like Donegal Action for Cancer Care, healthcare workers in the
Irish Nurses Organisation, trade unionists like IMPACT and patients'
families from across County Donegal.

"We were also flattered that our campaign for better health services --
based on equal access for all -- is having such an impact that the five
Fianna Fáil TDs felt it necessary to join forces to defend the record of the
Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats Government", Mac Lochlainn said.

"Given their appalling record on health, despite the unprecedented resources
at the disposal of this Government for the past decade, it is no surprise
that the Fianna Fáil TDs choose to unite only in misrepresenting Sinn Féin
policy.

"Our policy 'Healthcare in an Ireland of Equals' is founded on the principle
that the best health services should be available to all equally, based on
need alone.

"That policy was developed from the experience of health service users and
workers throughout the country. In presenting our policy proposals around
Ireland during 2006 we have met with a widespread positive response,
including here in Donegal. Anyone who wishes to see what our policy actually
says can request a copy by phoning me on 087 2771958, or by visiting our
website on www.sfhealthpolicy.com", he said